Slot machine and method for providing slot game

ABSTRACT

A slot machine includes: a display that displays an arrangement of a plurality of symbols for providing a slot game; an operation unit that allows a player to input commands for playing the slot game; a processor that is operable with the display to: accept a bet made by the player through the operation unit; control the display to perform a variable display of the symbols and to display the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing the variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for holding at least one of the symbols; control the display to reperform the variable display for the symbol that is unheld and to display the unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a second arrangement after reperforming the variable display.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is based upon and claims priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-209825, filed on Aug. 1, 2006, the entire content of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a slot machine and a method for providing a slot game in which an award is paid out based on a combination of arranged symbols. The present invention also relates to a slot machine and a method for providing a slot game that allows a player to hold at least one of the symbols in a manner so that the award determined by the combination of the arranged symbols should not be paid out and to rearrange the symbol that is not held.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a slot machine as one kind of gaming machines is configured such that the game is started by inserting a game medium, such as a coin into the gaming machine, and that symbol columns are variably displayed in a predetermined area of the gaming machine and are displayed stopped after lapse of a predetermined time period. Thereafter, the game medium is paid out on the basis of the stopped symbol combination.

A device for providing variable display of the symbol columns may be implemented as a mechanical reel or a video reel. For example, there is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,432 B1 a slot machine that displays a total of fifteen symbols of 3×5 by use of the video reel. In this slot machine, when the game is started, the reels rotate so that the symbols of the individual columns arranged in a vertical direction are associated to start variations, and so that individually three symbols are stopped and displayed in the individual columns as the reels stop rotations after lapse of a predetermined time period. Then, the award is paid out on the basis of either the number of symbols of the same kind stopped and displayed or the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on a pay line. A bonus game is executed in case the combination of specific symbols is stopped and displayed.

In the aforementioned slot machine of the prior art, an internal lottery is performed at the instant when the rotations of reels are started, no matter whether the mechanical reel or the video reel might be used. Once the symbols are stopped and displayed according to the rotations of the reels, the award to be paid out to the player is then fixed.

SUMMARY

One of objects of the present invention is to provide a slot machine and a method for playing a slot game, which is enabled to provide an attractive game for a player expecting an award for a large sum, by rearranging the symbols in compensation for abandoning a satisfied award, thereby to improve the degree of freedom for the game.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a slot machine including: a display that displays an arrangement of a plurality of symbols for providing a slot game; an operation unit that allows a player to input commands for playing the slot game; a processor that is operable with the display to: accept a bet made by the player through the operation unit; control the display to perform a variable display of the symbols and to display the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing the variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for holding at least one of the symbols; control the display to reperform the variable display for the symbol that is unheld and to display the unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a second arrangement after reperforming the variable display; and provide an award to the player in accordance with the accepted bet and the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for providing a slot game to a player, the method including: displaying an arrangement of a plurality of symbols for providing the slot game; allowing the player to input commands for playing the slot game; accepting a bet made by the player; performing a variable display of the symbols; displaying the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing the variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for holding at least one of the symbols; reperforming the variable display for the symbol that is unheld; displaying the unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a second arrangement after reperforming the variable display; and providing an award to the player in accordance with the accepted bet and the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view showing a symbol display unit while one of reels is being re-rotating;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view showing a symbol display unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing the symbols which are displayed in the symbol display unit after first reel rotations;

FIG. 5 is an example of an award table showing awards to be paid out to the player on the basis of the combination of symbols displayed stopped in the symbol display unit;

FIG. 6 is an example of an award table showing awards to be paid out to the player on the basis of the combination of symbols displayed in the symbol display unit;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view showing the symbols which are displayed in the symbol display unit by the bonus combination after the second reel rotations;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view showing the symbols which are displayed in the symbol display unit by the combination to pay out no award after the second reel rotations;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the slot machine according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a main control program in the slot machine according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a main gaming program in the slot machine according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a slot machine according to the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the slot machine according to the embodiment is the so-called “video slot machine”, which is provided with an image display device such as a liquid crystal display and allows the player to enjoy a game by displaying images of various symbols in the image display device.

The slot machine according to the embodiment is provided with a plurality of reels 23 to 27 having their symbol columns individually displayed stopped after being variably displayed for a predetermined time period. Among the reels 23 to 27, specific reels (i.e., the reels 23 to 26 in the example shown in FIG. 1) may be held in accordance with an operation input by the player in order to abandon the award satisfied by the combination of symbols 46 once being displayed stopped. When the specific reels are held by the player, the unheld reel (i.e., the reel 27 in FIG. 1) is rotated again to scroll the symbol columns thereby to rearrange the symbols 46, so that an award is paid out to the player on the basis of the award satisfied by the combination of the rearranged symbols 46.

A schematic configuration of a slot machine 1 according to the embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment.

The slot machine 1 according to the embodiment is configured to include a cabinet 2, a top box 3 disposed on the upper side of the cabinet 2, and a main door 4 disposed on the front face of the cabinet 2.

The top box 3 is provided on its front face with an upper display 5. The upper display 5 is implemented as well-known liquid crystal display, and displays information for playing a game including a description of a gaming method, an award table, and the like.

The main door 4 is provided on its whole face with a lower display 6. This lower display 6 is configured of the well-known liquid crystal display, and is equipped with a symbol display unit 7 having 3×5 symbol display areas. The symbol display unit 7 is configured of five columns of reels 23 to 27. The respective reels 23 to 27 are displayed to scroll (variably displayed) in the symbol columns of a predetermined array, and three symbols are displayed stopped at the maximum after lapse of a predetermined time period in each of the symbol columns. As a result, fifteen symbols are displayed at the maximum in accordance with the program of the game, as will be described hereinafter, so that a predetermined award is paid out to the player on the basis of the combination of symbols displayed. Here, the number of reels may be three, and the number of symbols to be displayed should not be limited to fifteen.

The lower display 6 is provided on its front face with a touch panel 11 so that the player can operate the touch panel 11 to input various instructions. Especially in the slot machine 1 of the embodiment, HOLD buttons 23A to 27A, which can be operated through the touch panel 11, are arranged below the individual reels 23 to 27, respectively. Those HOLD buttons 23A to 27A are used for the player to select the reel, which is left unrotated (or HELD) when the reels 23 to 27 are rotated again, as will be described hereinafter.

Moreover, the lower display 6 is provided with a credit number display unit 8 and a payout number display unit 9. The credit number display unit 8 displays the number of credits owned at present by the player. The payout number display unit 9 displays, as a payout number, the sum of an award which is paid out in case the combination of the symbols stop-displayed in the symbol display unit 7 is a predetermined winning combination.

Below the lower display 6, there are provided a control panel 15 having a plurality of buttons arranged for inputting the instructions relating to the game progress by the player, a coin receiving slot 16 for receiving the coin or the game medium into the cabinet 2, and a bill insertion slot 17.

The control panel 15 is provided with a start button 18, a change button 19, a CASHOUT button 20, a 1-BET button 21 and a MAX-BET button 22, which serves as a operation unit that allows the player to input various commands for playing the slot game. The start button 18 is operation means for inputting the instruction to start the scroll display of the symbol columns in the reels 23 to 27. The change button 19 is operation means, which is used when an exchange is demanded for the clerk of a game arcade. The CASHOUT button 20 is operation means for inputting either an instruction to pay out the coins corresponding to the credit number owned by the player (one credit corresponds to one coin), from a coin payout opening 28 to a coin tray 29, or an instruction to pay out a ticket with a bar code.

The 1-BET button 21 is operation means for accepting an instruction to bet one of the credits owned by the player, on the game. On the other hand, the MAX-BET button 22 is operation means for accepting an instruction to bet the maximum (e.g., 50 credits in the embodiment), that can be bet on one game, of the credits owned by the player, on the game. Incidentally, another BET button can also be exemplified by other various BET buttons such as a 3-BET button.

In the slot machine 1, the game medium is exemplified by coins, paper currencies, or electronic valuable information (or credits) corresponding to them. However, the game medium to be applied to the invention should not be limited to those but can be exemplified by medals, tokens, electronic money or tickets.

Subsequently, the symbols to be displayed at a gaming time in the symbol display unit 7 of the lower display 6 are described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 to FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is a front elevation view showing the symbol display unit 7 according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing the symbols 46 displayed in the symbol display unit 7; and FIG. 5 is a diagram of an award table showing the awards which are paid out to the player on the basis of the symbols 46 displayed in the symbol display unit 7.

As shown in FIG. 3, the symbol display unit 7 according to the embodiment is configured of five columns of reels 23 to 27. The individual reels 23 to 27 have symbol display areas 31 to 45 for displaying the three symbols 46 individually for the individual reels 23 to 27 when they are stopped in rotations. When the game is started, the symbols 46 (total of fifteen symbols) are displayed individually one for the individual symbol display areas 31 to 45, as shown in FIG. 4. Here, the individual symbol display areas 31 to 45 are so sectioned by dotted lines as to discriminate the individual symbol display areas 31 to 45.

In the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment, the game is played with nineteen kinds of symbols 46 and blanks (or blank symbols), as shown in FIG. 5. Moreover, a win occurs in the case of a combination, in which a predetermined number or more of symbols of the same kind are displayed independently of the arrangement for the symbol display areas 31 to 45. Then, the award according to the kind and the display number of the symbols is paid out. In the case of a bonus combination, in which the symbols 46 of “B”, “0”, “N”, “U” and “S” are arrayed in one transverse row with respect to the symbol display areas 31 to 45, a bonus game is executed as the award continuously from the end of the ordinary game.

In case, for example, three symbols 46 of “CHERRY” and two symbols of “7” are displayed, as shown in FIG. 4, an award of total nine credits is paid out. Here, the award shown in FIG. 5 shows the case, in which the bet number is “1”. In case the bet number is “1”, therefore, the value of the award shown in FIG. 5 is added to the credits. In case, however, the bet number is “2” or more, the product of the award value, as shown in FIG. 5, by that bet number is added to the credit. In the embodiment, moreover, the win occurs in case the same symbols are displayed by predetermined numbers, as shown in FIG. 5, the wins occur so that the awards are paid out. However, the win may occur in case one “7” symbol and three “CHERRY” symbols are displayed, so that the award may be paid out.

For the wins, moreover, the pay lines may be set in the symbol display areas 31 to 45, so that the award may be paid out in case the combination of the symbols stopped along the pay line becomes predetermined ones shown in FIG. 6. Still moreover, both the awards, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, may also be paid out.

Subsequently, here is specifically described a game advancing procedure of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment. At first, when the start button 18 is pressed after the end of a bet acceptance completion, an internal lottery is performed to determine the symbol 46 to be displayed in the symbol display unit 7. At the instant when a predetermined time period elapses after the start button 18 was pressed, the reels 23 to 27 start their rotations thereby to perform the scroll displays of the symbol columns. After lapse of a predetermined time period, the totally fifteen symbols 46 are stopped and displayed for the symbol display areas 31 to 45. At this time, in case any award is established by the combination of the symbols 46 displayed especially in the symbol display unit 7, a reel to be held is so selected from the reels 23 to 27 by means of the HOLD buttons 23A to 27A that the established award may not be acquired (or may be abandoned). Specifically, the reel to be held can be selected when the player depresses the HOLD buttons 23A to 27A below the reels 23 to 27 to be held. Moreover, the background colors of the HOLD buttons 23A to 27A pressed change thereby to specify the reels 23 to 27 being held.

For example, FIG. 1 is a view showing the symbol display unit 7 of the case, in which the reels 23 to 27 are once stopped and displayed with the combination shown in FIG. 4 and in which the reels 23 to 26 are then HELD but only the reel 27 is rotated again. In this case, at the stage of FIG. 4, three symbols 46 of “CHERRY” are displayed, and two symbols 46 of “7” are displayed. Thus, the award holds, but is abandoned by rotating the reels 27 again.

After this, the unheld reel 27 is stopped after lapse of a predetermined time period, and the award, which is established in the stopped state with the combination of the symbols 46 displayed in the symbol display unit 7, is paid out to the player. In case the re-scroll of the symbol columns results in the symbol “S” is displayed in the symbol display area 43, as shown in FIG. 7, thereby to establish the bonus combination, in which the symbols 46 of “B”, “0”, “N”, “U” and “S” are arrayed in one transverse row, the bonus game is executed as the award continuously after the end of the ordinary game. In case, on the other hand, the re-scroll of the symbol columns results in the combination, in which no award holds, as shown in FIG. 8, any of the awards having held at first with the reels 23 to 27 being stopped does not hold so that no award is paid out.

Next, a configuration of the control system of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing the control system of the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the control system of the slot machine 1 is basically configured of a motherboard 60 and a gaming board 50.

At first, the description is made on the gaming board 50. The gaming board 50 is provided with: a CPU 51, a ROM 55 and a boot ROM 52 connected with each other through an internal bus; a card slot 53S corresponding to a memory card; and an IC socket 54S corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54.

The memory card 53 is a recording medium, which is configured of a nonvolatile memory and stored with a game program and a game system program (as will be called the “game program and so on”). The game program stored in the memory card 53 contains a lottery program. This lottery program is a program for performing a lottery to determine the symbols 46 to be displayed stopped in the symbol display areas 31 to 45.

The memory card 53 stores a symbol lottery table for performing a lottery to determine the symbols 46 to be displayed stopped in the symbol display areas 31 to 45. Here, the symbol lottery table is a table, by which a predetermined random number range is made to correspond to the symbols 46 to be stopped and displayed in the symbol display areas 31 to 45. On the basis of the symbol lottery table, the symbols 46 to be stopped and displayed at first in the symbol display areas 31 to 45 are determined based on the lottery performed by the CPU 51, and the awards to be paid out to the player are then determined on the basis of the combination of the symbols 46 determined.

The symbol lottery table may be a table, in which the predetermined random number range is made to correspond to the award to be paid out to the player. In this case, the award to be paid out to the player is determined on the basis of the symbol lottery table, and the combination of the symbols 46 for satisfying the determined award is selected by a main CPU 61.

Subsequently, the description is made on the motherboard 60. This motherboard 61 is configured by using a commercially available motherboard (e.g., a printed circuit board having the fundamental parts of a personal computer mounted thereon), and is provided with the main CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63 and a communication interface 64.

The ROM 62 is made of a memory device such as a flash memory, and is stored with permanent data such as a BIOS to be executed by the main CPU 61. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 61, a predetermined peripheral device is initialized so that the fetch of the game program or the like stored in the memory card 53 is started through the gaming board 50.

The RAM 63 is stored with the data or program to be used when the main CPU 61 acts. Moreover, the RAM 63 can store the various programs such as the authentication program or the game program to be read out through the gaming board 50, or the credit number being owned by the player.

The communication interface 64 is a communication device for performing communications with a server disposed in the game arcade, through communication lines.

A main PCB 70 and a door PCB 80, as will be described hereinafter, are connected with the motherboard 60 through individual USBs. A power source unit 65 is also connected with the motherboard 60. When the motherboard 60 is fed with an electric power from the power source unit 65, its main CPU 61 is started. The electric power is further fed to the gaming board 50 through the PCI bus so that the CPU 51 is started.

With the main PCB 70, on the other hand, there are connected a hopper 66, a coin detection unit 67, a graphic board 68, a speaker 69, the touch panel 11, and the bill insertion slot 17.

The graphic board 68 controls, on the basis of a control signal from the main CPU 61, the image displays in the upper display 5 and the lower display 6. In the game, for example, the scroll display and the stop display of the symbols 46 accompanying the rotations of the reels 23 to 27 are performed on the symbol display unit 7.

With the door PCB 80, on the other hand, there are connected the control panel 15, a reverter 16S, a coin counter 16C and a cold-cathode tube 81. The control panel 15 is provided with: a start switch 18S corresponding to the start button 18; a change switch 19S corresponding to the change button 19; a CASHOUT switch 20S corresponding to the CASHOUT button 20; a 1-BET switch 21S corresponding to the 1-BET button 21; and a MAX-BET switch 22S corresponding to the MAX-BET button 22. These individual switches output input signals to the main CPU 61 when the corresponding buttons are operated by the player.

Subsequently, a main control program to be executed in the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the main control program.

In the slot machine 1, it is assumed that the memory card 53 is already inserted into the card slot 53S of the gaming board 50, and the GAL 54 is mounted in the IC socket 54S.

At first, the power switch is turned on in the power source unit 65. Then, the motherboard 60 and the gaming board 50 are individually started to execute the authentication reading operation of Step (as will be abbreviated into “S”) 1. In this authentication reading operation, the motherboard 60 and the gaming board 50 individually-perform different operations in parallel.

In the gaming board 50, more specifically, the CPU 51 performs the reading of the preparatory authentication program stored in the boot ROM 52, and performs, in accordance with the read preparatory authentication program, the preparatory authentication to confirm and verify that the authentication program has not been tampered in advance before fetched by the motherboard 60.

In the motherboard 60, on the other hand, the main CPU 61 executes the BIOS stored in the ROM 62, to expand the compressed data installed in the BIOS, into the RAM 63 thereby to execute the BIOS expanded into the RAM 63 and to diagnose and initialize the various peripheral devices.

After this, the main CPU 61 reads out the authentication program stored in the ROM 55, and performs the authentication to confirm and verify that the game program or the like stored in the memory card 53 inserted into the card slot 53S is not tampered. When this authenticating operation normally ends, the main CPU 61 writes the game program or the like to be authenticated (or authenticated), in the RAM 63. Subsequently, the main CPU 61 performs a fetching operation to read out the payout percentage setting data stored in the GAL 54, through the gaming board 50, and writes the payout percentage setting data read out, in the RAM 63.

After these operations, the main CPU 61 ends the authentication reading operation.

At S2, the main CPU 61 sequentially reads out the game program and so on authenticated by the authentication reading operation of the S1, and executes them to perform the main gaming operations. The game in the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment is played by executing those main gaming operations. Moreover, these main gaming operations are repeatedly executed while the power is being fed to the slot machine 1.

Next, a sub-operation of the aforementioned main gaming operations of S2 is described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the main gaming program in the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment. Here, the individual programs, as shown in the following flow chart of FIG. 11, are stored in the memory card 53, and are expanded in the RAM 63 belonging to the slot machine 1 so that they are executed by the main CPU 61.

As shown in FIG. 11, at first S11, the main CPU 61 performs a predetermined initial setting, and then a start acceptance to set the insertion of coins or the bet number. In the initial operation, the data of an item (e.g., the payout number counter) set in a predetermined data area is cleared. In the start acceptance, moreover, the player performs the insertion of coins and a betting operation using the 1-BET button 21 and the MAX-BET button 22.

Next, at S12, the main CPU 61 determines whether or not the start button 18 has been inputted. Whether or not the start button 18 is inputted is determined on the basis whether or not the input signal from the start switch 18S has been received.

In case the start button 18 is not inputted (S12: NO), the routine returns again to the start acceptance (S11). At this time, the operation to correct the bet number or the like is possible. In case the start button 18 is inputted (S12: YES), on the other hand, the bet number, which is set on the basis of the operations of the 1-BET button 21 and the MAX-BET button 22, is subtracted from the owned credit number, and is stored as bet information in the RAM 63.

Subsequently, at S13, the main CPU 61 executes a first symbol lottery operation (first lottery) to determine the symbols to be displayed stopped in the each of the symbol display areas 31 to 45 of the symbol display unit 7. Specifically, the main CPU 61 executes the random number generating program stored in the lottery program stored in the RAM 63, thereby to sample a random number from the numerical range of a predetermined random number range and to decide the fifteen symbols 46 (i.e., the stop positions of the reels 23 to 27) displayed in the symbol display areas 31 to 45, from a plurality of kinds of symbols, on the basis of the random number sampled and the symbol lottery table.

Next, at S14, the main CPU 61 starts the rotations of the reels 23 to 27, and scrolls and displays the symbol columns arranged in the individual reels 23 to 27, at a predetermined speed. After the predetermined time period elapsed, the reels are stopped and displayed in the order of the reel 23-->the reel 24-->the reel 25-->the reel 26-->the reel 27, and the three symbols 46 are displayed individually for the reels 23 to 27 in a first arrangement (as referred to FIG. 4).

Subsequently, at S15, the main CPU 61 determines whether or not the combination of the symbols 46 displayed in the symbol display areas 31 to 45 is a specific one for paying out any award.

In case it is determined (S15: YES) that the combination is to pay out the award, the routine transfers to S16. In case it is determined (S15: NO) that the combination is not to pay out the award, on the contrary, the main gaming operation is ended. In case the game is next started continuously, the operations of S1 and subsequent steps are performed again.

At S16, the main CPU 61 performs the reel HOLD. Here, the reel HOLD is an operation to select the reels to be held from the reels 23 to 27 by using the HOLD buttons 23A to 27A. Specifically, the player depresses the HOLD buttons 23A to 27A below the reels 23 to 27 to be held, thereby to select the reels to be held, and specifies the reels 23 to 27 being held, because the background colors of the HOLD buttons 23A to 27A pressed change.

Next, at S17, the main CPU 61 determines whether or not the start button 18 has been inputted. Whether or not the start button 18 is inputted is determined on the basis whether or not main CPU 61 has received the input signal from the start switch 18.

In case the start button 18 is not inputted (S17: NO), moreover, the routine returns again to the reel HOLD (S16). At this time, it is possible to correct the bet number and so on. In case the start button 18 is inputted (S17: YES), on the contrary, it is further determined at S18 whether or not all the reels 23 to 27 are held by the aforementioned reel HOLD of S16.

As a result, the award being satisfied is fixed in case it is determined (S18: YES) that all the reels 23 to 27 are held, and the routine transfers to the award display of S22. In case it is determined (S18: NO) that some reels 23 to 27 are not held, the routine transfers to S19.

At S19, the main CPU 61 determines whether or not the reels held by the reel HOLD of S16 are so held that the award satisfied by the combination of the symbols 46 stopped and displayed at S14 may not be obtained (or may be abandoned).

In case it is determined (S19: YES) that the HOLD is so made as to obtain no held award, the routine transfers to S20 to execute a second symbol lottery (second lottery), in which the symbols to be displayed in the symbol display areas (the symbol display areas 31 to 33 for the reel 23, the symbol display areas 34 to 36 for the reel 24, symbol display areas 37 to 39 for the reel 25, the symbol display areas 40 to 42 for the reel 26, and the symbol display areas 44 to 45 for the reel 27) of the unheld reels (i.e., the reels to be rotated again) are determined. Specifically, the main CPU 61 executes the random number generating program contained in the lottery program stored in the RAM 63 thereby to sample the random numbers from the numerical range of the predetermined random number range, and determines, on the basis of the sampled random number values and the symbol lottery table, the symbols 46 (i.e., the stop positions of the reels to be rotated again) to be displayed in the symbol display areas of the unheld reels, from a plurality of kinds of symbols.

Next, at S21, the main CPU 61 starts the rotations of the unheld reels, and scrolls and displays (as referred to FIG. 1) the symbol columns arranged on the reels, at a predetermined speed. When a predetermined time period elapses after this, the reels are stopped and displayed, and the three symbols 46 are individually displayed (as referred to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8) for the individual reels (i.e., the reel 27 in FIG. 1) rotated again, thereby to display a new arrangement of the symbols in a second arrangement that is different from the first arrangement. In case it is determined (S19: NO) that the HOLD is not made not to obtain the held award, on the contrary, the routine is returned to S16 to restart the reel HOLD operation to select the reels 23 to 27 to be held.

At S22, moreover, the award based on the combination held for the lower display 6 is displayed to report the contents of the award to the player. In FIG. 7, for example, the bonus combination is held to display the letters “Win Bonus Game !!” reporting the execution of the bonus game as the award.

Subsequently, it is determined at S23 whether or not the combination of the symbols 46 displayed in the symbol display areas 31 to 45 has held the bonus combination by the first reel rotating operation of S14 or by the second reel rotating operation of S21 of the case, in which the reels were rotated again. Here, the bonus combination is one, in which the symbols 46 of “B”, “O”, “N”, “U” and “S” are arrayed in one transverse row.

As a result, the routine transfers to the bonus game operation (at S24), in case it is determined (S23: YES) that the bonus combination has been held. Various modes can be conceived as the bonus game, but the description is made, assuming that the free game is the bonus game. Here, the free game is one, which is played a predetermined number of times with the same contents as those of the ordinary game but without any BET. In the bonus game operation of S24, the rotations and stop controls of the reels 23 to 27 are repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times, and the awards held for those repetitions are paid out to the player by the later-described payout of S25. Here, the conditions for the transfer to the bonus game may be either the case, in which a predetermined number or more predetermined symbols are displayed, or the mode, in which the symbols suddenly occur as mysteries, so that they can be set various. Moreover, the lottery table to be used in the free game may also be exemplified by one which is set to have a more payout than that of the ordinary game.

At S25, moreover, the main CPU 61 pays out the award based on the combination of the displayed symbol, to the player. At this time, the CASHOUT button 20 is pressed, so that the award can be paid out as the coins (each of which corresponds to one credit) according to the credit number or as the ticket with bar codes. In case an award of a higher sum than that of the award held in the first reel rotations of S14 is held by performing the re-rotations of the reels 23 to 27 at S21, it is desired that the difference is subtracted from a jackpot. In case an award of a lower sum than that of the award held in the first reel rotations of S14 is held, on the contrary, it is desired that the difference is added to the jackpot. As a result, the payout percentage is not changed, even in case the award to be held by rotating the reels again changes.

In the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment, when the acceptance of the bet ends to start the game, the reels 23 to 27 start their individual rotations so that totally fifteen symbols 46 are stopped and displayed for the symbol display areas 31 to 45 after lapse of a predetermined time period. After this, the predetermined reels of the reels 23 to 27 having the symbol columns individually stopped and displayed are so HELD (at S16) that the award held in the combination of the symbols 46 stopped and displayed may not be obtained. After this, the reels other than the held ones are rotated again to scroll the symbol columns again thereby to arrange the symbols 46 again (at S21), so that the award is paid out (at S25) to the player on the basis of the award held by the combination of the symbols 46 arranged again. As a result, the chance to play the game again can be obtained by the deed to abandon the once-acquired award, so that various plays can be enjoyed.

Moreover, the player is caused to select the symbol columns to be held, so that the game can be played considering the intention of the award, the acquirement of which is desired by the player.

Here, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiment thus far described, but can naturally be improved and modified in various manners without departing from the gist of the invention.

In the embodiment, for example, the symbols, which are held at the units of the reels 23 to 27, of the symbols 46 displayed in the symbol display areas 31 to 45 are selected by the HOLD operation of S16. Other than the selection of the symbols to be held at the reel unit, however, the HOLD operation may be performed for every symbol display areas 31 to 45. Moreover, the symbol rows to be held may also selected at the transverse row unit. At this time, the symbols 46 unheld are exclusively re-arranged as new symbols on the basis of the lottery results. This configuration can provide games of a higher degree of freedom.

Moreover, the reels or symbols to be held may also be selected not only by the player himself or herself but also be selected automatically by the slot machine 1.

In the embodiment, in case the combination for paying out any award is satisfied (S15: YES) by the first reel rotations of S14, the reel HOLD (S16) for selecting the reels 23 to 27 to be held is performed. In case the combination to pay out any award is satisfied, and in the case (i.e., the so-called “reach state”) of the combination, in which one symbol is short for (different from) the bonus combination, the reel HOLD (S16) may also be performed. This can improve the expectation, as might otherwise be fulfilled, to win the bonus game.

The present invention can also be applied to the slot machine that is provided with mechanical reels instead of the video reels.

As described above with reference to the embodiment, in the slot machine and method for providing a slot game according to the present invention, one or more of a plurality of symbols arranged are hold, in case a combination of the symbols arranged in the display becomes a specific one to pay out an award, so that a holding award may not be acquired, whereas the unheld symbols are rearranged, and the award is paid out on the basis of the combination of the symbols rearranged. As a result, a chance to perform the game again can be acquired by the deed to abandon the award once acquired, so that various plays can be enjoyed. In the slot machine of the prior art, more specifically, in case the game is stopped in the combination for acquiring an award, even if this combination may promise an award of a larger sum (for example, the combination may transfer to the bonus game with one symbol), the award for the holding award is paid out, and the game is over. Therefore, the feeling of disappointment of the player having expected the holding of the higher award is increased to decrease the desire of the player for the play. This problem can be eliminated by the present invention.

Especially by allowing the player to select the symbol columns to be held, moreover, the player can play the game considering the desire of the player for the award.

Moreover, the symbols are rearranged in case the combination becomes short of one symbol for the bonus combination, so that the expectation of the player for the award of the bonus game can be improved.

It is described in the embodiment that the award is “paid out” to the player in accordance with the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement. However, the award may be any type of award that is advantageous to the player in playing the game.

The award may be provided to the player by providing the player a bonus game such as a free game, which is played without consumption of any game medium (coins, medals, tokens, or credits), or a second game, which is different from the base game and is more advantageous to the player.

The award may also be provided to the player by transitioning the game to be performed based on an award table having higher odds than the award table shown in FIG. 5 used in the base game.

The award may also be provided to the player by actually paying out tangible game medium (coins, medals, or tokens) to the player, or by paying out non-tangible credits as the game medium to the player. The credits may be accumulated in the gaming machine to be actually paid out later as the tangible game medium.

As described with reference to the embodiment, there is provided a slot machine including: a display that displays an arrangement of a plurality of symbols for providing a slot game; an operation unit that allows a player to input commands for playing the slot game; a processor that is operable with the display to: accept a bet made by the player through the operation unit; control the display to perform a variable display of the symbols and to display the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing the variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for holding at least one of the symbols; control the display to reperform the variable display for the symbol that is unheld and to display the unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a second arrangement after reperforming the variable display; and provide an award to the player in accordance with the accepted bet and the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement.

There is also provided a method for providing a slot game to a player, the method including: displaying an arrangement of a plurality of symbols for providing the slot game; allowing the player to input commands for playing the slot game; accepting a bet made by the player; performing a variable display of the symbols; displaying the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing the variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for holding at least one of the symbols; reperforming the variable display for the symbol that is unheld; displaying the unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a second arrangement after reperforming the variable display; and providing an award to the player in accordance with the accepted bet and the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement. 

1. A slot machine comprising: a display that displays an arrangement of a plurality of symbols for providing a slot game; an operation unit that allows a player to input commands for playing the slot game; a processor that is operable with the display to: accept a bet made by the player through the operation unit; control the display to perform a variable display of the symbols and to display the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing the variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for holding at least one of the symbols; control the display to reperform the variable display for the symbol that is unheld and to display the unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a second arrangement after reperforming the variable display; and provide an award to the player in accordance with the accepted bet and the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement.
 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor controls the display to display a plurality of symbol columns on which a plurality of symbols are arranged.
 3. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the processor controls the display to scroll the symbols arranged on the symbol columns when performing the variable display of the symbols.
 4. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the processor allows the player to enter the hold command for holding at least one of the symbol columns, and wherein the processor controls the display to reperform the variable display for the symbol column that is unheld and to display the unheld symbol column stopped to arrange the symbols in the second arrangement after reperforming the variable display.
 5. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor performs a first lottery for determining the first arrangement of the symbols and a second lottery for determining the second arrangement of the symbols.
 6. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor controls the display to provide a bonus game to the player as the award to be provided when the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement is determined to be a bonus combination, the bonus game being advantageous to the player than in the slot game.
 7. The slot machine according to claim 6, wherein the processor controls the display to reperform the variable display when the combination of the symbols arranged in the first arrangement is different by one symbol from the bonus combination.
 8. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the display includes a display panel that displays various images on a screen, the images including a plurality of video reels on which the symbols are arranged.
 9. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the display includes a plurality of mechanical reels on which the symbols are arranged.
 10. A method for providing a slot game to a player, the method comprising: displaying an arrangement of a plurality of symbols for providing the slot game; allowing the player to input commands for playing the slot game; accepting a bet made by the player; performing a variable display of the symbols; displaying the symbols stopped in a first arrangement after performing the variable display; allow the player to enter a hold command for holding at least one of the symbols; reperforming the variable display for the symbol that is unheld; displaying the unheld symbol stopped to arrange the symbols in a second arrangement after reperforming the variable display; and providing an award to the player in accordance with the accepted bet and the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the symbols are displayed as a plurality of symbol columns on which a plurality of symbols are arranged.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the symbol columns are displayed to scroll when performing the variable display of the symbols.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the player is allowed to enter the hold command for holding at least one of the symbol columns, wherein the variable display is reperformed by reperforming the variable display for the symbol column that is unheld, and wherein the unheld symbol column is displayed stopped to arrange the symbols in the second arrangement after reperforming the variable display.
 14. The method according to claim 10 further comprising performing a first lottery for determining the first arrangement of the symbols and a second lottery for determining the second arrangement of the symbols.
 15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the award is provided to the player as a bonus game when the combination of the symbols displayed stopped in the second arrangement is determined to be a bonus combination, the bonus game being advantageous to the player than in the slot game.
 16. The method according to claim 15, the variable display is reperformed when the combination of the symbols arranged in the first arrangement is different by one symbol from the bonus combination. 